This Carnival girl will be sailing Celebrity

[CruzerDeb]

Tell me it’ll be okay! Reassurances and hand pats welcome. 😀 

 

We originally booked Carnival Fascination out of San Juan and invited another couple to go with us. Long story, but they convinced us to change to virtually the identical cruise but on Celebrity Summit instead. 

 

Thoughts on Celebrity?

[luv2trvlnow]

We enjoyed the Celebrity Summit out of San Juan in 2015.  That is a very port intensive itinerary. We switched to it because Carnival cancelled our cruise and it was at the same time.  It is quieter but they still had some games around the pool.  They had a volleyball game with Passengers vs Officers.  That was fun.  We enjoyed their indoor Solarium pool that was a Thalassotherapy pool. There we also a couple of hot tubs.  It was adults only when we cruised not sure if it still is.

 

We thought the shows were good, about equal but different.  We liked the buffet and Main Dining Room better on Summit.  Carnival has Summit beat with the Comedy Shows.  I would definitely sail on the Summit again.  

[Essiesmom]

We like Celebrity, too.  Food is good.  Shows are good, dress code is slightly more enforced...  Decor is not glitzy like Fantasy class...EM

[lasekeye]

We sailed Celebrity Equinox this past September with a great almost end of Alaska season sale.  We only ventured away from Carnival due to the last min sale & that Carnival was booked up for the rest of the Alaska Season.

Our first with Celebrity and we found more sameness than differences.  The MDR is great on both, Lido Buffet is the same ...although the CCL buffet cakes look the prettiest, both lines have same meh taste.  We did miss Guys burgers,...X had a burger joint, but not nearly as yummy....we missed the BBQ place and taco station. 

We always found something to do, just like CCL there was always something going on.  The staff ware wonderful on both.  We thought the interior was just a bit above with understated class compared to our previous experiences (Legend, Splendor & Breeze) & our Equinox balcony stateroom was smaller than our CCL cruises.

 

Our next cruise is a B2B on Mardi Gras, but after that we are back to Celebrity for a Panama Canal Cruise.....again, booked due to a great sale that includes 4 perks plus extra OBC.  If Celebrity continues to offer good sales compared to Carnival, we will continue with X, but our first thought is with CCL.

[klfhngr]

10 carnival cruises and 1 X cruise. You're gonna love it! Huge step up... Not hating, I'll be on Panorama in April!

[Honolulu Blue]

8 hours ago, CruzerDeb said:

Tell me it’ll be okay! Reassurances and hand pats welcome. 😀 

 

We originally booked Carnival Fascination out of San Juan and invited another couple to go with us. Long story, but they convinced us to change to virtually the identical cruise but on Celebrity Summit instead. 

 

Thoughts on Celebrity?

 

You'll be fine as long as you don't demand two comedians a night.  I was on the Summit about 2 years ago on this same general route.

[NCTribeFan]

Just took my 30th (turned Diamond) on Carnival (but also have 1 RCI, 1 NCL, 3 HAL & 3 consecutive MSC since last December).  I no longer consider myself a "Carnival girl."  Just bored with the same food, same entertainment, same activities.  I do have 4 more Carnival booked between now and January 2021 but I then have a 4-night on Celebrity.  Got a tremendous price with drinks, service charge and OBC and I've been wanting to try X for quite a while (I really enjoy my HAL sailings and have read that they're similar but with a little younger crowd).

 

I don't need or want non-stop activities. Yes, I enjoy myself but I mostly cruise for the ports, and while on the ship, I like to relax.  Favorite activity is finding somewhere quiet to read (which is nearly impossible on Carnival ships unless you retreat to your cabin).

 

Anyway, I'm a firm believer in trying other lines and drawing your own conclusions.  I also believe all the mainstream lines have more similarities than differences, but that having some differences keeps the cruise experience fresh.

[Host Carolyn]

I don't dislike Celebrity art all but prefer Carnival ....and even Princess...because there is more activity later in the evening. Don't like port intensive cruises so can't compare for that type itinerary. Have sailed on Summit and like that size ship. Be interested to get your input when you return.

[Tapi]

12 hours ago, CruzerDeb said:

they convinced us to change to virtually the identical cruise but on Celebrity Summit instead.

In my humble opinion, it’s great to branch out and try other cruise lines. I used to be loyal to Carnival for many years. But then one day I decided to try a different cruise line, and then another, and then another, etc.

 

Long story short, it’s been wonderful to try different things, and these days I don’t stick to one cruise line. I make it a point not to repeat the same cruise line two times in a row. It took me 8 years to set foot on a Carnival Cruise again. In between, I sailed Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Disney, and MSC, and it’s been awesome! 
 

Celebrity is considered a step up over Carnival, but that doesn’t mean that you’re going to like it more. At first glance some things may be the same, but if you’re someone who has an eye for details, you will notice the difference in quality, cuisine, level of service, decor, furnishings, etc. You may care for some of the differences, and you may not care for others. Whatever you do, go with an open mind and avoid making direct comparisons. 
 

Have a great cruise, and thank you friends for convincing you to try something new! 

Edited November 16, 2019 by Tapi

[CA_Cruzing]

You’re not the first or last to “jump ships.”

 

We have our first 10 day X cruise this coming March and we’re really looking forward to it. 
 

Without kids in tow it should be a relaxing and less busy experience for us, but not boring either. 

[HeavyMetalDeacon]

DW and I just this past summer took the plunge to Celebrity, and on the Summit . 

 

Warning.....you may be spoiled after this.

 

Enjoy the trip

[OC SeaPA]

4 hours ago, HeavyMetalDeacon said:

DW and I just this past summer took the plunge to Celebrity, and on the Summit . 

 

Warning.....you may be spoiled after this.

 

Enjoy the trip

Our count- 12 NCL, 8 Princess, 5 Carnival, 9 Celebrity, 12 RCI, 1 Oceania, 1 Disney, 1 Cundard, 3 Holland.  I have tried many lines, and found it is not necessarily the ship, but finding a nice group to hang with (usually from cruise critic!).  We always find a party group, people to drink with, dance with, dine with, shore excursion with.  Celebrity is still my favorite (good blend of "class" without being boring!)  Summit is a great ship!  But excited for my Panorama sailing in January!  

[D C]

First off, CONGRATS! You made my Google news feed!  Seriously. Somehow, this thread was linked from my Google news feed page 🙂

 

Since I'm a Celebrity cruiser and have never been on Carnival, I'm curious as to what aspects of Carnival you like that you fear might not be on Celebrity. 

 

[Steve551]

1 hour ago, D C said:

I'm curious as to what aspects of Carnival you like that you fear might not be on Celebrity. 

 

 

Carnival has an insanely loyal following. Kind of reminds me of In-n-Out. Good burger but far from the best.

 

Been on 19 Carnival cruises, 10 or so with Celebrity, and a few more with Royal.  Celebrity is my favorite cruise line, my wife prefers Royal (because of the Oasis Class ships).

 

Since we are destination cruisers I would pick Celebrity over Carnival "if" the itinerary were similar. But I would be over-ruled if an Oasis Class ship also had a similar itinerary  LOL

[NCTribeFan]

I'm looking forward to sailing on Infinity (same class as Summit).  I know she'll be renovated before I sail.  I personally prefer smaller ships (<100,000 gtw).  I love the Spirit class on Carnival but am not a fan of the layouts on their other classes.  I refer to them as "floating shoe box designs."  Have loved all 3 HAL ships I've sailed from the small Zaandam to Zuiderdam to their new-at-the-time Koningsdam.  Thought MSC's Divina was a beautiful ship but at double the size of Amonia, it was just too much ship for me.  I like the more personal feel of smaller ships and have always felt the food and service was better on those I've sailed..  Of course, YMMV!

 

The biggest difference I'm looking forward to is the fact that X's casinos are non-smoking.  That will be such a nice change!

[idraconis]

Let us know how your cruise goes.

[jsglow]

Enjoy your new experience.  We're pretty loyal Carnival cruisers.  But we love and appreciate different lines for different applications.  And in your upcoming case, the cruise is so port intensive that the ship matters far less.  Frankly, I wish Carnival would put a Conquest class or Sunshine class boat back down in San Juan and, more importantly, run a second itinerary from there.

[CruzerDeb]

10 hours ago, D C said:

First off, CONGRATS! You made my Google news feed!  Seriously. Somehow, this thread was linked from my Google news feed page 🙂

 

Since I'm a Celebrity cruiser and have never been on Carnival, I'm curious as to what aspects of Carnival you like that you fear might not be on Celebrity. 

 

 

I like the fun vibe that I get from the minute I board; I live Guy’s Burgers and Blue Iguana, I live the live music on Lido and the fun sail away party. I enjoy the movies on the big screen at night on Lido, the variety of things to do.

 

I was on the Ruby Princess for a cruise to Alaska in June and it was amazing! I loved the classier look. There was no sail away party, just a couple of crew members (but no music) trying to get people interest ... in something. I would absolutely sail Princess again. 

 

I think I’m concerned that Celebrity won’t be as “fun” as Carnival. I’m a pretty reserved person, but I do enjoy being surrounded by a party. The Summit looks like a beautiful ship and we’re going to be so busy in port that I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’ll be on a cruise, after all!

 

And that’s WEIRD that I made your google feed!

[cruisequeen4ever]

You’ll have to share with us after what you thought of it. I’m a Princess girl who tried Celebrity and was very underwhelmed by the food and experience and will be trying Carnival next summer due to the perfect itin. Hope your cruise is great!

[CruzerDeb]

I’ll do a review, for sure. 

[Jerseygirl1416]

If you have an American Express card check your offers. I had one for Celebrity that you get $150 statement credit if you charge $500.

[habsfan4ever]

Funny story, my wife, and I are in the same place but reverse. Celebrity only for our past cruises, giving Carnival a try, Panorama end of February. Ports of call, and a new Ship.

You will enjoy the X line.

[K&RCurt]

I predict you will love it.

 

We have been on the Constellation which is a sister ship of the Summit and are also booked on a cruise out of San Juan on the Summit in January 2021.

 

We have been on Carnival, HAL and Celebrity and have yet to have a bad cruise.  Each line has their own areas where they excel and where they fall short of our individual preferences, but everyone's likes and dislikes are different.

 

I felt overall compared to Carnival the food was better on Celebrity, we thought the decor of the ship was also better.  Overall Carnival is certainly more "Fun" and that is what they focus on.  Passengers are somewhat older and less engaged on Celebrity, but you can find enough folks to have some fun.

 

IMO, new experiences make like interesting and since you are going with friends you have your own squad to have fun with.

[D C]

On 11/17/2019 at 9:15 AM, CruzerDeb said:

I like the fun vibe that I get from the minute I board; I live Guy’s Burgers and Blue Iguana, I live the live music on Lido and the fun sail away party. I enjoy the movies on the big screen at night on Lido, the variety of things to do.

 

I was on the Ruby Princess for a cruise to Alaska in June and it was amazing! I loved the classier look. There was no sail away party, just a couple of crew members (but no music) trying to get people interest ... in something. I would absolutely sail Princess again. 

 

I think I’m concerned that Celebrity won’t be as “fun” as Carnival. I’m a pretty reserved person, but I do enjoy being surrounded by a party. The Summit looks like a beautiful ship and we’re going to be so busy in port that I’m sure it’ll be fine. I’ll be on a cruise, after all!

 

And that’s WEIRD that I made your google feed!

Having sailed almost exclusively on Celebrity and never on Carnival, I'm sure it's going to be interesting, and hopefully in a good way!

 

Kids? Nope

Water slides? Nope

Rock climbing walls? Nope

(get the idea?)

It's a cruise line for active adults.  

 

I would call Celebrity more "relaxing" than having a "fun vibe", per se.   However, the Martini Bar is always hopping and is THE late-night spot on-board. The entertainment is good.  The food is excellent!  Best meal I ever had was on Celebrity.   

 

I actually was on the Summit 3 weeks ago.  The recent refurb left the ship in pretty nice shape.  Nice and modern.   When do you sail?

 

[LibratPDX]

The thing I enjoyed the most was that there were NOT constant announcements.  No push to shop at Diamonds International, no reminders of what activities are coming up next, they seem to trust that everyone can read the daily schedule!  I get SO tired of the CD's announcing EVERY.LITTLE.THING on Carnival ships, just stop!   

 

I had a good time but definitely missed the atmosphere and fun of a Carnival Piano Bar!  The Celebrity version was mostly a snooze.  The Carnival steakhouse was better than Celebrity's....

Edited November 27, 2019 by LibratPDX